Hospital Patients Arrested for Attacking Staff

May 2, 2014

Three Atascadero State Hospital patients were arrested Wednesday for attacking staff. At about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, two patients tried to provoke other patients by shoving furniture. The pair was then joined by a third patient when they charged at hospital employees who tried to intervene. Hospital police officers had to end the incident by pepper spraying the patients. Four employees and the three patients were injured. Two hospital police officers reported suffered serious injuries, including two broken ribs and a possible torn muscle. The three patients, identified as 34-year-old Justin Gause, 23-year-old Jacob Sloan, and 35-year-old Harley Fisher were arrested for conspiracy, assault, battery, and resisting an officer, all of which are felonies. The hospital's investigation into the incident is ongoing.